Warsaw Old Town
2 hour walk with an English speaking guide
#Guide in Warsaw #Local tour guide in Warszawa #Private tour guide in Warsaw #local guide in Warszawa #tourist guide in Warsaw
Tour 8 ### 2 hours. Price: 350 zloty
You will be picked up at your hotel if it is nearby. Otherwise, we meet at Nowy Świat 72. We meet right in front of the statue of Copernicus and PAN (Polish Academy of Sciences). Nowy Swiat Uniwersytet Metro Station is located 100 metres down Nowy Świat Street on ul Świętokrzyska. If travelling by taxi, Nowy Świat is closed on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. Then get off at the metro station.
We’ll see pretty much the same things as on tour #1 ‘2-hour stroll in the centre of Warsaw’ – but we’ll reach a few more places on this tour. Here we focus on the Old Town and the legends, and I don’t talk about current social conditions and politics in Poland.
1. The Copernicus statue has been standing here since 1830 ad
We first look at the Copernicus statue, made by Thorvaldsen. Then we talk about the Polish Academy of Sciences and the church where Chopin’s heart lies. We also compare the church to a painting in a glass case by Canaletto, who in the 1780s was court painter to the last king of Poland.
2. University and Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw
I talk about the history of the university, the students and the architecture.
3. Pilsudski Square and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
We look into Warsaw’s large ceremonial square with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Maybe we see the change of the guard, that takes place every hour. And then we also hear about square and it’s history.
4. On the way to the castle square we ses paintings, history and installations
Here we encounter benches with Chopin music, churches, statues and beautiful houses, and generally a fantastic atmosphere. We also see pictures by Canaletto displayed in glass cases – they depict Warsaw in the 1780s.
5. Castle Square – the entrance to Warsaw Old Town
The Wasa king on a pillar, the ancient walls, the rebuilt royal castle, the national stadium and the second riverbank. I’ll tell you all about it.
6. Cathedral and Jesuit Church in Warsaw Old Town
We take a look inside the cathedral and I tell you its history.
7. Rynek (the old Town Hall Square) – totally rebuilt after 1945
A rebuilt piece of history dating back over 700 years. With legends of Warsaw and the Mermaid as Warsaw’s landmark.
8. Dung Hill – The rubbish dump in Warsaw Old Town
We look out over the river and see how the people of Warsaw disposed of their rubbish in the old days
9. Barbican Fortress between Old Town and the so-called New Town
Here is the transition between Old Town and New Town, which was built 100 years later than Old Town. It is also part of the defences that protect Warsaw from enemies. We also look at the moat and the walls.
10. Rynek in New Town – dignified and quiet
A little quieter than Rynek in the old city, but with beauty and dignity.
11. Monument to the Warsaw Uprising and a lot of emotions
I talk about the Warsaw Uprising in 1944 and its consequences for Warsaw.
Write to me at m@hardenfelt.pl to arrange a guided tour in Warsaw
If you wish, the Old Town tour can end with an hour-long Chopin concert in a cosy concert hall by the Old Town. The link to the concert hall is below. Please book and pay for tickets yourself – prices from 60 zloty and upwards. When ordering, please enter your first and last name and e-mail address (2 times). You will then be taken to an external payment provider and pay by credit card. And let me know when you’re going to the concert and we’ll organise the trip so that you arrive in good time.